Antomical position 

An anatomical reference position, the body viewed from the anterior surface with palms facing forward; supine. 

Anatomy 

The study of the structure of the body.

Diaphragm 

Any muscular partition; often used to refer to the respiratory muscle that seperates the thoracic cavity from the adominopelvic. 

Frontal Plane 

A sectional plane that divides the anterior and posterior portions; called coronal plane.

Homeostasis 

The maintenance of relatively constant internal environment. 

Negative feedback

Corrective mechanism that opposes or reverse a variation from normal limits and restore homeostasis. 

Peritoneum 

The serous membrane that lines the peritoneal cavity. 

Physiology

Literally the study of function; considers the ways living organisms perform vital activites. 

Positive Feedback

Mechanism that increases a devaltion from normal limits following an intial stimulus.

Sagittal plane 

Sectional plane that divides the body into left and right portions. 

Transverse plane

Lies at right angles to the long axis of the body, dividing the body into superior inferior portions.

Viscera 

Organs in the body cavity. 

Abdominopelvic quadrant 

One of 4 divisions of the anterior abdonimal surface. 

Abdominopelvic region 

One of 9 divisions of the anterior adbnominal surface. 

Auscultation 

Listening to a patient's body sounds with a stethoscope.

CT, CAT ( Computerized [axial] tomography)

An imaging technology that uses x-rays reconstruct the body's three dimensional structure. 

Disease

A malfunction of organs or organ systems resulting from a failure in homeostatic regulation.

Echogram 

An image created by an ultrasound. 

Histology 

The study of tissue. 

MRI ( magnetic resonance imaging) 

An imaging technique that employs a magnetic field and radio waves to make subtle structural differenced visible. 

PET Scan (positron emission tomography)

An imagine technique that shows the chemical functioning, as well as the structure of a organ. 

Radiologist 

A physician who specializes in performing and analyzing radiological procedures. 

Radiology 

The study of radioactive energy and radioactive substances and their uses in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. 

Ultrasound 

An imaging technique that uses brief bursts of high-frequency sound waves reflected by internal structures. 

X-rays 

High-energy radiation that can penetrate living tissues.